KBC Channel 1

Author: Muraya Kamunde

  • One person arrested with 23 pieces of elephant tusks in Laikipia

    One person arrested with 23 pieces of elephant tusks in Laikipia

    One person has been arrested and 23 pieces of elephant tusks recovered at Mahiga area, Laikipia County.

    The elephant tusks were valued at Ksh 11 million and weighed 113.75Kgs.

    According to Laikipia Police Commander John Nyoike, the tusks are suspected to have been ferried from Churo in Baringo County were intercepted at Mahiga area, within Sipili Township in Laikipia County,

    The police boss said the smuggler aged 43-years old was transporting the ivories using a Nissan Vannet was also arrested.

    The suspect was arrested by a multi-agency team from Laikipia and Serious Crime Prevention Unit  team from the headquarters in Nairobi was ferrying the consignment that had been concealed inside maize sacks and was suspected that he was preparing to hand them over to a buyer when he was nabbed.

    He said the man, a prominent businessman at Sipili Township was being held in custody at Rumuruti police station pending arraignment in court.

    Mr Nyoike noted that it is estimated that the ivory came from 12 elephants both adult elephants and calves as they were of different sizes.

    Though he said that poaching was not much prevalent in the county, Mr Nyoike said that they were working with police officers from the neighbouring counties of Baringo and Samburu to help tame the menace.

  • NTSA: 1,679 have died from road accidents this year

    NTSA: 1,679 have died from road accidents this year

    The numbers of pedestrians who have died on the roads this year continue to dominate the latest data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

    According to the data, 1,679 people have died from January to date with pedestrians leading at 571 and motorcycle operators at 449.

    This is however a drop by 4pc compared to the same period last year where 1,756 people had died across the country’s road.

    This came as the authority partnered with ten counties across major roads on a road safety campaign targeting to reduce the number of fatal accidents in the country.

    According to NTSA Director-General George Njau, they had increased signage along the major roads and continued improvement of the roads by fixing potholes.

    Njau noted that statistics indicated that all motorists were affected by the fatal accidents adding that the authority was working with other stakeholders to address this.

    Addressing the press in Naivasha during a meeting with the counties, he said that the authority was rolling out intelligence road management and safety system targeting PSVs.

    “This system will be able to monitor and track PSV drivers speed and we shall be rolling it out in the next couple of days,” he said.

    Under the programme with the counties, he said that NTSA would help them come up with transport committees and address the rising cases of accidents involving boda boda operators.

    “We shall be sharing our proposals with the Council of Governors on areas where counties can improve in addressing issues of road safety at the grassroots level,” he said.

    The authority’s deputy director in charge of road safety Dr Duncan Kibogong pointed to pedestrians and motorcycle operators as the most affected by the fatal accidents.

    He said that there was a decrease of four percent in the number of fatalities this year compared to the same period last year.

    “As from January this year to date, we have lost a total of 1,679 people to road accidents compared to 1,756 in the same period last year with pedestrians and motorcyclists leading,” he said.

    Kibogong added that a total of 8,098 people had been involved in accidents this year compared to 7,848 the same span of time last year.

    On his part, Nathaniel Ng’ang’a from Machakos County lauded the road safety programme by NTSA noting that it would go a long way in taming the rising cases of accidents.

    “We are working with NTSA on how motorists can be assisted in processing required documents while training boda boda on road safety,” he said.

  • Accurate citizen data will shape Govt policy, President Ruto

    Accurate citizen data will shape Govt policy, President Ruto

    The Government is committed to documenting all citizens to enhance service delivery.

    President William Ruto said effective and inclusive governance of public services requires accurate citizen data.

    The Government, he added is working towards the implementation of a vital statistics system that meets the demands of a new digital era.

    He said the Government has also instituted measures to ensure 100 per cent registration of births and deaths by 2026.

    “We need accurate information on essential attributes of citizens to accurately allocate resources,” he said.

    Speaking during the 7th Identification For Africa Conference held in Nairobi, President Ruto said proper identity systems will boost democracy in Africa.

    President Ruto asked African national identity management agencies to work together and share knowledge on identity management innovations.

    He called on development partners to support Government’s identity management programmes.

    “We operate in an environment of escalating resource constraint and yet, at the same time, we cannot postpone or downgrade our identity management endeavours,” he said.

    Present were Cabinet Secretaries Kindiki Kithure, Eliud Owalo, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, the Executive Chairman of ID4 Africa Joseph Atick, several ministers from African countries and Principal Secretaries.

     

  • Cleric laud the nomination of Noordin Haji as NIS boss

    Cleric laud the nomination of Noordin Haji as NIS boss

    The office of the Grand Mufti of Kenya has lauded the nomination of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji as the next Director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

    Grand Mufti Sheikh Omar Buya said the move by the President to nominate Haji demonstrates his confidence in the DPP to work and serve the nation in different capacities.

    Speaking in Mombasa, Buya urged Members of Parliament mandated to vet the nominee to do so objectively and in turn give him the green light as he fits the bill given his contribution and experience in the service.

    “As the office of the Grand Mufti, we want to thank the President for the noble choice he made in nominating the DPP to be the next Director of National Intelligence. We believe he will serve the nation with honour and patriotism,” said Buya.

    Haji, a former deputy director in the Counter Organized Crime Unit within the NIS, was appointed as the DPP on 28th March, 2018 following an interview with the Public Service Commission (PSC) and vetting by the national assembly.

    Buya called on a faction of civil society groups that have come out to oppose the nomination of Haji on the grounds of alleged ineptitude during his tenure at the helm of the ODPP to re-evaluate his successes against the setbacks and allow him to transition to his new role seamlessly.

    “The President in his wisdom has nominated Haji for the exemplary work he did as the DPP. He executed his mandate within the confines of the law and that should be the gauge that we should use to measure if he is up to task with the role ahead of him,” added Buya.

    This is against the backdrop of criticism lodged by the rights groups a few days ago with the groups raising questions on the suitability of the DPP to handle another sensitive docket.

    Meanwhile, the cleric has put his weight behind the transformative agenda that the government is implementing to try and bring the cost of living down and stabilize the economy.

    He said that Kenyans should take time and analyze some of the gains made in the short period of time the new dispensation has been in place.

    “We need to give our leaders time to develop sustainable policy that will steer our nation in the right direction. Eventually, things will shape up and our country will prosper,” said Buya.

  • President Ruto makes two new State appointments

    President Ruto makes two new State appointments

    President William Ruto has made two new appointments in the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) respectively.

    In a statement by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, President Ruto nominated Mary Wanyonyi as the chairperson of CRA taking over from Jane Kiringai whose six-year term has ended.

    She was picked among three candidates among them Thomas Ludindi Mwadeghu and Felicity Nkirote Biriri.

    Her nomination was preceded by a competitive recruitment process undertaken by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

    “The Head of State has pursuant to Article 215 (2)(a) of the Constitution nominated CPA Mary Wanyonyi for appointment as the Chairperson of the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA),” State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said.

    Ms. Wanyonyi is a Certified Accountant and a Certified Mediator who also holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting). The nominee has had a stellar career in accounting spanning over three decades.

    She is currently serving the nation as the Senior Deputy Accountant General and Head of Accounting Unit in the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development.

    The nominee has previously served as a Council/Board Member of various State Corporations and State Agencies including: The Cooperative University College, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Maasai Mara University.

    At the same time, the President has also appointed Dr. Phyllis Wambui Wagacha as member of Salaries and Remuneration Commission for the next six years.

    Dr. Phyllis Wambui Wagacha will fill the vacancy that arose following the resignation of Hon. Dalmas Otieno, EGH to participate in the last General Election.

    Dr. Wagacha, holds a Doctoral Degree in Information Sciences, from Moi University. The Nominee has previously served at Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) and International Committee for Social Science Information and Documentation.

    The two names have been forwarded to parliament for vetting before they are sworn in to office.

  • Smart IDS gathering kicks off in Nairobi

    Smart IDS gathering kicks off in Nairobi

    A continental gathering that showcases the latest innovations in digital registration technology kicked off in Nairobi Tuesday with Kenya committing to reintroduce smart cards by September.

    Immigration and Citizen Services PS Julius Bitok said the government is targeting September 16th for the planned rollout of Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) that will give new-borns in Kenya a unique lifetime registration number.

    The date coincides with the global date set aside to mark milestones in digital identity.

    “As we reflect on UPI, we are very keen to identity September 16th as the day the government will be able to roll out some of the activities to support the UPI which will be the foundation for our smart identity,” PS Julius Bitok said.

    Speaking at the 7th Augmented General Meeting of the ID4Africa at the Kenya College of Insurance in South C, Nairobi, the PS told the nearly 2,000 delegates drawn from 90 countries that the envisaged smart registration was intricately tied to the digitization of government services.

    He said the government hoped to make more than the 5,000 services that were initially targeted for digitalisation and easy access available on its eCitizen platform.

    To diversify revenue streams and minimise crime linked to identity-theft, the government will consolidate and digitalize existing registration databases under its custody and promote pay-to-access use by telecommunication firms and other businesses that rely on Know-Your-Customer (KYC) profiles.

    Addressing the same forum, ICT, Communications and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo said the government had no intention of reviving the Huduma Namba.

    He said that rather than reintroducing the smart card whose rollout was beset by legal and political challenges, the government will instead consult widely with stakeholders to arrive at a broadly acceptable and advanced ID.

    “We will consider what works best for us a country while factoring in all available options through a consultative approach that addresses the concerns of many of our stakeholders,”said ICT CS Eliud Owalo.

    He said the government will provide the necessary policy and regulatory environment for technology and innovation companies to support its quest for smart registration.

    The three-day ID4Africa conference brings together governments, public institutions, international agencies, the civil society in Africa and leading innovation and technology firms in the world to discuss and showcase trends in developments in the registration industry.

    Broadcast PS Prof Edward Kisiangani and the Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait were also in attendance at the meeting that has brought together at least 25 ministers, secretaries and high-ranking diplomats.

  • Ex-Mungiki leader Maina Njenga wanted by DCI for questioning

    Ex-Mungiki leader Maina Njenga wanted by DCI for questioning

    Detectives based in Nakuru County are looking for ex-Mungiki leader Maina Njenga, in relation to the recovery of two firearms and over 90 rolls of bhang.

    The items were found at a home linked to him.

    The detectives said the weapons were recovered following a raid conducted at Ngomongo village in Dundori ward.

    The officers managed to arrest eight suspects aged between 37 and 54 and also found three rounds of 9mm blank ammunition hidden in one of the rooms.

    “One of the firearms recovered was a homemade pistol capable of firing while the other one was a Tokarev whose serial number had been defaced,” said the DCI.

    “Any information on the whereabouts of the ex-Mungiki leader who has since gone into hiding maybe volunteered through the #FichuakwaDCI anonymous hotline 0800 722 203,” they said.

  • Jubilee rebel MPs dismiss move to oust them from party

    Jubilee rebel MPs dismiss move to oust them from party

    Jubilee rebel MPs led by EALA MP Kanini Kega have dismissed the move by the party to oust them terming it null and void.

    In a quick rejoinder on Monday, Kega vowed to wrestle back the party from former President Uhuru Kenyatta led faction.

    They said they will organize a separate National Delegates Conference in July to stamp their authority and make further changes.

    Nominated MP Sabina Chege and Kanini Kega teamed up with a section of Jubilee elected legislators to kick out former President Uhuru Kenyatta from the party leadership and named Sabina Chege as the new party leader and Kanini Kega as the new Secretary General replacing Jeremiah Kioni.

    The political party dispute tribunal is yet to determine who the legitimate party leader is after the registrar of political parties referred the dispute back to the tribunal.

  • Siaya Deputy risks impeachment over differences with Governor Orengo

    Siaya Deputy risks impeachment over differences with Governor Orengo

    Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol risks impeachment over his differences with Governor James Orengo after the County Assembly received a notice for the same Monday.

    East Asembo Ward MCA Godwin Onguru gave the notice immediately after the county assembly threw out corruption allegations that Oduol had raised against Orengo administration, terming them as unsubstantiated.

    Tabling the report of the committee on general oversight that investigated allegations by Oduol, Usonga member of the county assembly, Sylvester Madialo accused the deputy governor of lying that he had been denied some of his entitlements such as security personnel and vehicles, adding that contrary to the claims, the deputy governor had all the entitlements as per the salaries and remuneration commission advisory, with staff appointed by the county public board seconded to him and at his disposal.

    “The Deputy Governor is entitled to one body guard and other security officers at his residence as stated in the policy on provision of protective security to state officers and other VIPs” read the reported tabled before the assembly that was presided over by speaker George Okode.

    The reported further called out the deputy over failure to recognize that he was subordinate to his boss, the governor as per the constitution of Kenya 2010 and the county governments act, 2012.

    “Being a member of the County Executive Committee, the Deputy Governor is accountable to the governor in the exercise of his duties and responsibilities in the county government.

    On allegations that Orengo administration was starving projects in Alego / Usonga of resources, the report said that contrary to the allegations, the sub county was the most favoured, with more amounts being channeled to the numerous projects.

    The committee recommended that all the 14 complaints by Oduol be dismissed for lack of evidence.

    The complaints ranged from alleged illegal transfer of funds into the county imprest account, irregular payments of imprest to officers, alleged payroll fraud, discriminatory budget, unfair disciplinary process and harassment of persons close to the deputy governor among others.

    Immediately after the Speaker, George Okode had called for the vote on the report which received unanimous support, the MCA for east Asembo, Mr. Onguru rose to give a notice of motion to impeach the deputy governor.

    Onguru said that the Assembly should impeach Oduol for gross violation of the constitution of Kenya 2010 and other laws and for abuse of office and gross misconduct.

    Speaker Okode said that the notice had met the threshold pursuant to standing order number 71.

    “Motion having been admitted, I will appoint a date upon which the motion shall be placed in the order paper, considered and disposed off” he ruled.

    Earlier, Members of the county assembly who contributed to the motion accused the deputy governor of showing open bias against other constituencies, adding that he (Oduol) had forgotten that he was elected to serve the entire county and not just Alego / Usonga.

    The war of words between Oduol and his deputy has been dragging from March this year when he accused his boss of keeping quiet as an alleged syndicate was milking the devolved government dry through corruption.

    The erstwhile buddies, who campaigned together under the “Nyalore” (It can be done) manifesto are no longer seeing eye to eye, with Oduol accusing his boss of locking him out of cabinet meetings.

    Orengo, through his director of communication, Benjamin Agina has denied the allegations, saying that contrary to the charade, his deputy has been attending the meetings.

    Two weeks ago, youths allied to the two engaged in a fist fight that disrupted the funeral of Siaya County Public Service Board chairman, Peter Achoch in the outskirts of town.

  • One pupil dead, 20 hospitalized after developing pains in Kinangop

    One pupil dead, 20 hospitalized after developing pains in Kinangop

    A pupil at St. Mary Primary school in Magumu Location, Kinangop Constituency in Nyandarua County, has been confirmed dead after he complained of headache, chest and stomach pains.

    The deceased, a class eight pupil together with another, on Wednesday sort permission to go to hospital under care of their parents, on Thursday.

    The number of pupils with the same signs increased to seven and on Friday morning the number rose to 15 raising eye brows to the school management.

    On Saturday morning, the student developed breathing difficulties, and was rushed to Engineer Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

    According to his grandfather who rushed him to hospital said despite breathing difficulties, he was still complaining of having chest pains, headache and stomach ache even after he sort treatment on Wednesday.

    Confirming the incident, Nyandarua County Health Director Dr. Martha Mwathi said so far there are 23 reported cases mainly from class 7 and 8 pupils.

    Dr. Mwathi said the pupils are now placed at Nyayo ward in Engineer Hospital where she is leading a team of doctors in taking samples awaiting results on Tuesday.

    Meanwhile, Health officers have been dispatched to the home of the pupil who passed away in order to get his health history.